The second-year pro has completed better than 60 percent of his passes through his first 18 regular-season starts, but the numbers don't begin to explain what separates Cutler from the others.

"I love him," the AFC scout said. "He's athletic, poised, smart, accurate -- and there was just something about that kid coming out, the way he was wired."

The Broncos have had problems surrounding Cutler with a consistent supporting cast. Losing veteran center Tom Nalen was a significant setback. Top receiver Javon Walker has hardly played. Top running back Travis Henry has 34 carries over the last seven games.

Cutler's numbers have suffered as a result, but he's still averaging 7.9 yards per attempt, putting him up there with Brett Favre (7.96) and Peyton Manning (7.9).

"He has an unbelievable career ahead of him," the NFC personnel director said. "He is Romo [in terms of confidence] with the physical tools to match. He's fun to watch because he's kind of like the kid who plays quarterback down at the playground. 'Let's just go play.'"

Cutler, 24, has less experience than the other quarterbacks on our list, leaving more for the imagination. But his poise and physical ability are obvious already.

"He has a cannon of an arm, obviously, and when he's in the pocket, he has the arm strength to make all the throws," an NFC pro scout said. "Throw in the fact that he can move around and buy additional time, and he's got a pretty impressive arsenal in terms of ability and arm strength and feet."

HOLD

Philip Rivers, Chargers

RIVERS WATCH
Bullish: Seems to play his best under pressure. Good accuracy. Knows when to find his playmakers.
Bearish: Has thrown into coverage too frequently. Others have stronger arms.

San Diego took a step back offensively this season, but Rivers has shown signs of improvement. He has forced too many balls into coverage, leading to more interceptions (15) and a pedestrian passer rating so far (78.9).

Rivers, 25, spent two seasons behind veteran Drew Brees before helping San Diego to a 14-2 record in 2006, his first season as a starter.

"He's an accurate guy, but I wasn't impressed with his arm strength," the secondary coach said. "I was more impressed with his leadership and the other things he does, more than being a pure quarterback.

"You watch him and he has a good feel for the game, he knows where to go with the ball and who needs to get the ball. Some guys don't get that. You see guys all the time, it's a critical situation and they throw to some guy who never had a catch. Part of being a good player and a good quarterback is getting the ball to right guys."

The Chargers acquired wide receiver Chris Chambers from Miami, but they could use more at the position.
"It seems like his lack of receivers has really caught up with him," the NFC scout said. "Teams are taking [Antonio] Gates away and they had

Nick Hardwick hurt for a while, so they couldn't run the ball as well."

Our panel of experts wasn't impressed with Manning even before the quarterback's four-interception implosion against Minnesota in Week 12.

"I think he's got good skills," said the secondary coach, speaking before the Minnesota game, "but all the other stuff, the intangible stuff, I don't think he has it. He gets scared when you get after him in the pocket. All the things you hate a quarterback to have, he has. And he's not accurate."

Even Giants' general manager Jerry Reese admitted that Manning, 26, had become "skittish" in recent weeks.

"He missed throws in our game," one of the pro scouts said. "There were throws you need to make if you are a front-line guy. He left yards on the field against us."

What I don't get is all the man-love for Cutler. Some bozo in the media predicted that he would be the MVP this year. Most "experts" had the Donks challenging us for the AFC West title. The Donks are 6-8 and Cutler has been solid but erratic, and hasn't shown much in the way of leadership.

What I don't get is all the man-love for Cutler. Some bozo in the media predicted that he would be the MVP this year. Most "experts" had the Donks challenging us for the AFC West title. The Donks are 6-8 and Cutler has been solid but erratic, and hasn't shown much in the way of leadership.

I just don't get it. :no:

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I think analysts (myself included) put major emphasis on completion %. Cutler has great physical tools, but the team around him is not as talented in years back. With the exception of their linebackers the donks have an aging defense. Their o-line took a major step back this year, and they have no RB. For Cutler to be completing better than 60% of his passes this year is impressive. Thankfully they're not winning games, and hopefully they're continue to crumble in years that follow. But I'm not going to lie... Cutler makes me a little nervous.

What I don't get is all the man-love for Cutler. Some bozo in the media predicted that he would be the MVP this year. Most "experts" had the Donks challenging us for the AFC West title. The Donks are 6-8 and Cutler has been solid but erratic, and hasn't shown much in the way of leadership.

So I'm the only person west of the Rocky's that thinks this kid can play huh? Well that's cool... sometimes it's awesome being proven wrong.

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The kid has the arm, he has the feet, he has the sweet sprial....but he makes a lot of decisions that make you go "wow, what the fu*k was he thinking."

Without that cannon he'd have no less than 25 picks this year, and I guarantee they'd have lost their first 2 games where in both games the Bills and the Raiders dropped key INT's.
Which means they would have been SWEPT by the Raiders this year.

So I'm the only person west of the Rocky's that thinks this kid can play huh? Well that's cool... sometimes it's awesome being proven wrong.

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The kid has promise. I don't think any of us would doubt that. But his performance has not been proportional to the number of pundits and scouts bobbing on his knob. It seems everyone is ignoring the quality of Cutlet's play and focusing solely on the hype that he's the next great QB.

This attitude sort of reminds me of the media's attitude towards the Pats. When they win by 50, the Pats are great because they are blowing people out. When the Pats play like crap and eek out a win against a bad Jets team, they are great because they persevered. It seems, that regardless of how the Pats or Cutlet play, they will both be touted as great.

Not a leader of men, football intelligence (and intelligence in general) is questionable, tends to put a lot of zip on ball. Lacks ability to put some "touch" on the ball to make it easier to catch.

Your a QB your job is to give the receivers the ball. When you put too much zip it makes it difficult to catch. Great QBs with strong arms have been able to put some air or cushion on passes. He fires it in there sometimes with little regard to if its catchable or not. He isn't a leader nor public speaker.

I think analysts (myself included) put major emphasis on completion %. Cutler has great physical tools, but the team around him is not as talented in years back. With the exception of their linebackers the donks have an aging defense. Their o-line took a major step back this year, and they have no RB. For Cutler to be completing better than 60% of his passes this year is impressive. Thankfully they're not winning games, and hopefully they're continue to crumble in years that follow. But I'm not going to lie... Cutler makes me a little nervous.

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The Denver O-line is too small now that they can't chopblock. Dumbf*** Shanarat thought he could continue to get away with cheating. It will take a couple of years, minimum, to fix. :yes: The fans/local media will blame Cutlet. Good. I have a feeling Shanarat is on a short leash. Also good.